If you’ve never taken any steps to reduce energy losses in your home, chances are you have a lot of room for improvement.  It’s possible to trim energy consumption by ten percent with little or no cost.  Easy changes, like adjusting thermostat settings and more conscientious use of appliances directly impacts monthly utility bills.  The specialists from Richard's Fuel & Heating Inc. can help you boost savings without sacrificing comfort or enjoyment of your home.

You can start by making sure lights aren’t on when no one is around.  Adjust lighting to your actual needs, rather than lighting empty rooms.  Make use of free daylight whenever possible.

Switching off machines when they are not in use can add up to significant energy savings.  There is a common belief that screen savers conserve energy use by monitors.  They do not.  Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually shutting monitors off is the more beneficial strategy.  In fact, quite a few appliances continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are turned off.  These “phantom” loads are common in appliances that rely on electricity, such as televisions, computers, and kitchen appliances.  On average, 75% of the electricity drawn to power home electronics is consumed while products are shut down.  Avoid this energy loss by unplugging appliances, or try a power strip and use the on/off feature to cut power.

Keep heating and cooling units maintained and clean!

Consider the installation of a programmable thermostat.  These modern alternatives offer the potential of a ten percent savings off your annual heating and cooling bill, simply by automatically adjusting thermostat settings 5-7 degrees for eight hours a day.  Many models feature reminders for necessary HVAC filter changes.  Dirty air filters greatly reduce efficiency of heating and cooling systems and shorten the overall service life.  To maintain optimal performance and efficiency from your comfort systems, professional maintenance is highly recommended.  On your own, you can make sure furniture, draperies, or carpeting are not hindering airflow from vents and registers.

Heat rises and will escape through the highest parts of your house.  During the cooling season, you want to help it escape faster by pushing the air upwards.  During the heating season, you want the opposite.  Fans make both jobs easier.  While fans don’t heat or cool the air, they move it around.  When air in your home is effectively circulated, it becomes easier to maintain consistent temperature and less work for your HVAC systems.

Inspect and maintain your home’s insulation.  Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements, and crawlspaces lead to heat loss and possible moisture imbalance.  The addition of weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors can greatly improve your home’s insulation.

If you have any questions or concerns over household energy use, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals from Richard's Fuel & Heating Inc.!

We offer comprehensive HVAC maintenance service, ensuring maximum value from your heating and cooling equipment, and install many ENERGY STAR rated systems.